"Lillian, did you hear what Evy just said?"
The old tree demon spoke with feigned righteousness. "Grandma doesn't seek to profit like a fisherman—so long as we can kill that man and avenge you, that is enough!"
Lillian quickly responded in full cooperation, "Everything is up to Grandma."
"Good." The old tree demon nodded in satisfaction, helping Lillian up. "In that case, I'll inform Master Black Mountain. He'll deal with him."
"Thank you, Grandma."
As if remembering something, Lillian suddenly added, "Grandma, I snuck out without permission. He might already be suspicious. I must hurry back before he notices."
The old tree demon smiled warmly. "You're always so thoughtful, Lillian."
"You'll have to endure a little longer. At most three days, and Master Black Mountain will take action. Once he's dead, you'll finally be safe."
"Lillian understands. Grandma, I'm heading back now."
"Go, then."
After leaving the old tree demon's lair, Lillian rushed straight toward Orchid Temple.
"My lord! Mission accomplished!"
The moment she saw Fenric, Lillian reported excitedly, "Grandma agreed. She's going to invite the Black Mountain Demon! She said within three days, Master Black Mountain will act!"
Her joy was unmistakable.
To serve the Young Master—it was her honor.
Fenric smiled, pleased. "Very good! Lillian, you've done well."
"It wasn't difficult at all. I'm happy just to be of help to you," she said, lowering her head shyly.
She didn't know why, but in front of Fenric, she always felt bashful.
Suddenly, a groan of pain came from the side.
It was Naichen. He had just regained consciousness and was writhing in pain.
"Don't move!" Chixia warned. "You've got several broken bones. I just realigned them. If you move now, you'll cripple yourself."
Naichen froze, terrified.
Then he saw Lillian and his eyes lit up—only to dim again the moment he noticed Fenric nearby. Fear overtook him.
He hadn't seen Fenric strike, but he could guess who had injured him.
This was Naichen—timid and spineless. Though he'd been hurt, he harbored no thoughts of revenge.
Fenric ignored him entirely. He turned to Lillian. "Lillian, stay close to me for the next few days."
"Yes, my lord!" she said sweetly.
Watching this, Naichen realized he had completely misunderstood Fenric.
This man wasn't some evil thief at all!
"I… I apologize, my lord. I misjudged you," Naichen said nervously.
Fenric said nothing, but Chixia couldn't help muttering, "Scholar, he beat you like that and you're apologizing?"
"I was wrong. It's only right to admit it," Naichen said honestly.
Chixia shook his head and dropped the subject.
Fenric spoke. "Beardy, take this kid away at dawn. We'll be going up against the Black Mountain demon soon—it's too dangerous for him to stay."
"Agreed," Chixia nodded.
"The Black Mountain demon? Who's that?" Naichen asked.
No one answered.
—--
Two days passed in a flash.
That night—
Fenric was sound asleep when Chixia suddenly rushed in and shook him awake.
"Boy, get up! Something's happening!"
Outside Orchid Temple, the faint sound of gongs and drums echoed.
Fenric sprang up. "Lillian?"
"I'm here, my lord."
Lillian appeared beside him in an instant.
Her expression was calm—completely unbothered.
These past two days had been the most peaceful in her afterlife. No need to harm others, no orders barked from Grandma, and both Fenric and Chixia treated her with respect.
Her mindset had changed. She was now willing to risk everything to help Fenric defeat the old Black Mountain Demon.
"Stay by my side," Fenric told her gently.
The moment he spoke, a violent wind howled outside.
WHOOOSH!
Leaves and dust blew into Orchid Temple, making the entire structure creak as if about to collapse.
Chixia's face darkened. "Heavy demonic presence!"
"Aah!" Lillian cried suddenly. "My lord!"
In the next instant—
She was sucked away by a powerful force and vanished before Fenric's eyes.
"Beardy!!" Fenric roared.
"I saw it!" Chixia shouted. Drawing the Empyrean Sword, he chanted a spell: "Princess Paramita!" and swung his blade toward where Lillian had vanished.
Woosh—!
The air split open, revealing a dark, swirling portal.
"Boy, if we don't return by dawn, we'll be trapped in the underworld forever!" Chixia warned.
"Got it!" Fenric replied, leaping into the darkness without hesitation.
Chixia followed close behind.
—---
The wind roared. The sky turned pitch black.
All around them, there was nothing but gloom and desolation. Not a soul in sight.
This… was the underworld.
As soon as Fenric landed, he felt a strange discomfort. A living human had no business here.
"Close your eyes. I'll open your Heavenly Vision," Chixia said from behind.
Fenric obeyed. He felt something cool touch his eyelids.
When he opened his eyes again—ghosts. Endless, swarming ghosts filled the underworld.
But Fenric wasn't afraid. In fact, a grin crept onto his face.
His first time in the underworld to farm monsters—it was kind of exciting.
He pulled out his Night Demon Cloak, wrapped it around his shoulders, and fastened it securely.
"Huh?" Chixia stared in surprise. "Kid, you've got some rare gear on you."
Even with his sharp eye, he couldn't discern the depth of power within the cloak.
"Don't admire it now, Beardy. Let's find Lillian!" Fenric said urgently.
"Right!" Chixia pulled out a compass. A pointer in its center began to spin wildly as he chanted a silent incantation. Finally, the needle fixed itself pointing toward the front-left direction.
"There!" he declared, stowing the compass and taking off.
But Fenric was even faster—rushing ahead at over 100 yards per second. Even with light-foot techniques, Chixia struggled to keep up.
This kid really is a monster, he thought.
But the stronger Fenric was, the more stable this monster-farming trip would be.
Soon, they heard noise from ahead.
A strange procession was moving forward—ghouls and beasts of all shapes escorting a lavish sedan chair.
Inside the sedan was Lillian, now dressed in red.
The moment Fenric saw her, his eyes turned cold.
Without a word, he charged straight in.